Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Middlesex: A Novel
Book Review: 2 questions
Summary: 3 Stars
I just want to know if anyone can tell me why one character is named Chapter Eleven and another, the Object?Book Review: 3 and half stars
Summary: 3 Stars
I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book - Detroit through most of the 1900's, Turkey and Greece in the early 1900's. I also learned a lot and it made me much more sympathetic to gender issues brought out in the book. Having said that I wish it could have been about 200 pages shorter. I found myself plodding through it at times. I thought the story of the grandparents could have been condensed to about 50 pages but it went on and on and on. I also could have done without some of the detail at the San Francisco peep show. The ick factor at times was just way too high for me.
Kudos to the author on what must have been an incredible amount of research.
Book Review: 4 1/2 stars
Summary: 5 Stars
Great book that opened my eyes to new issues. I love it, but a little quibble--I felt a little "teased" from time to time, as the author hinted that "the reveal" was soon to come, only to head off in some new direction. However, the new directions were always engaging. I read the audio version (well, listened),and didn't like the reader much, sad to say. Too many caricatured, too-funny voices. Also, his deep masculine voice just didn't seem right for Callie, who is a tenor and should have sounded both feminine and masculine.Book Review: 4 1/2 stars for me too
Summary: 4 Stars
Loved the beginning, loved the middle, a big draggy at the end. And what was up with Calliope in the Peek-A-Boo tank in San Francisco?! That seemed completely out of his/her character. A funky, fun, tragic, and epic whopper of a story. I read this book over a year ago, and can still picture almost every detail. This must say something!Book Review: 6 months later...
Summary: 3 Stars
... and I've finally finished this book. It must have been picked up and put down about a dozen times. For me, this was a book of fits and starts. Then, around the last 150 pages or so, when Calliope/Cal's experiences truly come to the fore, and the novel stops being a neverending outline/flashback of Greek culture, subsequent emigration and consequent Americanization, I found the novel fascinating. Was slogging through the first 2/3 worth the riveting final 1/3? Not really. I never really cared/connected with any character but Cal, and it took far too long to get to him.
I had to roll my eyes when the silkwork box made it's final, predictable appearance -- and when Desdemona, predictably, despite her senility, finds that moment of lucidity where she can savor her early prediction's vindication.
Pulitzer material? No. In fact, I'm a bit stymied that it won the prize. Recommended for Greek culture afficiandos and people like me, those fascinated by the fluid notions of gender identity and sexuality that make so many people squirm and itch uncomfortably in their own skin.
For everyone else, look elsewhere.